April 22, 2020
Summary
A warm bubble of subsiding air is now pressing eastward over California via upper level high pressure aloft. The freezing level has now jumped up to nearly 13,000 feet. Mountain weather stations are significantly warmer this morning. Blue Canyon at 5,600 feet is 7 degrees warmer than 24 hours ago while Sandburg at an elevation of 4,100 feet is 9 degrees warmer. This will be reflected by temperatures moving into the 80s this afternoon on the valley floor with mid 80s in most locations Thursday and possibly upper 80s Friday.
Models show the center of the high moving to just off the southern California coast by Saturday, resulting in temperatures reaching the 90 degree mark for the first time this season. A weak trough of low pressure will move through the Pacific Northwest Sunday and Monday, briefly weakening the high. However, most models show the high quickly rebounding by Tuesday and Wednesday, theoretically pushing readings above the 90 degree mark. Record highs this time of year are in the mid to upper 90s so no records are expected to fall.
The dry, warm weather pattern will continue through the middle of next week and quite possibly beyond, although it’s possible a trough of low pressure will move through northern and central California late next week for a cooling trend. That’s still a long ways off, though.
Forecast: Mostly clear through the weekend and warmer. Mostly clear Monday through Wednesday.
Short Term:
| Madera 81/52/84/53/87 | Reedley 82/52/84/54/86 | Dinuba 80/51/83/53/85 | |
| Porterville 82/51/85/53/87 | Lindsay 81/51/85/54/87 | Delano 83/55/84/56/88 | |
| Bakersfield 82/58/84/59/88 | Taft 81/56/83/59/86 | Arvin 82/54/83/56/88 | |
| Lamont 82/55/83/58/87 | Pixley 81/54/84/56/86 | Tulare 81/51/84/53/86 | |
| Woodlake 81/51/84/53/85 | Hanford 82/54/84/55/87 | Orosi 81/51/84/53/86 | |
Seven Day Forecast:
| Saturday
Mostly clear 55/89 |
Sunday
Mostly clear 55/88 |
Monday
Mostly clear 53/83 |
Tuesday
Mostly clear 55/90 |
Wednesday
Mostly clear 57/91 |
Two Week Outlook: April 28 through May 4: This model indicates a dominant ridge of upper level high pressure will be over the eastern Pacific and California, resulting in above average temperatures. The chance of rain during this timeframe appears to be very low.
April: Typically, these models really do not offer a good handle on a weather direction. This particular model is even muddier than most. It simply indicates near average temperatures with near average rain over the next 30 days.
April, May, June: Like most longer range forecasts, above average temperatures are indicated over the next 90 days for most of the lower 48, including central California. This model gives equal chances of above or below average precipitation, but considering we are now into the dry season, it’s pretty much a moot point anyway.
Winds Discussion: Winds today will be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 MPH with locally stronger gusts. Winds tonight through Saturday during the late morning through early evening hours will be generally at or less than 15 MPH and generally less than 7 MPH during the night through early morning hours with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain Discussion: Expect dry conditions for the next 7 to 10 days.
Afternoon Dew Points Today: Low to mid 50s. Kern: Low to mid 50s. Humidity values ranging from 30%/85% at Hanford. Bakersfield 30%/85%
Actual Humidity range April 21, 2020: Delano, 93%/51%, Porterville, 92%/46%
Percentage of Sunshine Today/Tomorrow: Visalia: Today: 100%, tomorrow 90%. Bakersfield: Today: 100% Tomorrow: 100%
ET Rates Over the Past Seven Days: Stratford 1.20, Parlier 1.07, Blackwell Corner 1.10, Arvin 1.10, Orange Cove .94, Porterville .95, Delano 1.11. Courtesy University of California *=estimate, NA=not available.
Seven Day Soil Temperatures: Stratford 61, Parlier 64, Blackwell 63, Arvin, 64, Orange Cove 65, Porterville 66, Delano 64
Record Temperatures: 96/33. Average Temperatures: 77/48
Cooling Degree Days this Season: 2 -18
Courtesy of the NWS
Average temperature for April so far: 59.2 -0.3
Precipitation: Seasonal total for Fresno/average + or 7.51 or -2.92. Month to Date: 1.65 +.94
Since Oct 1, 2019, Bakersfield: 7.02, or +1.05. Month to Date: 2.61 +2.21
Water year season is from October 1st through September.
Chilling Hours November 1st through February 28: Orange Cove, Parlier, Arvin, Shafter, Stratford, Delano, Lindcove, Porterville
Hours at 45 or below 45.
Sunrise: 6:14, Sunset: 7:48 pm. Hours of Daylight: 13:25
Yesterday’s Weather:
MCE : Merced 153 : DH1700 / 76 / 48 / 0.00 /
MAE : Madera 253 : DH1700 / 75 / 48 / 0.00 /
FAT : Fresno Airport 333 : DH1700 / 74 / 50 / 0.00 /
HJO : Hanford Airport 242 : DH1700 / 74 / 50 / 0.03 /
NLC : Lemoore Naval AS 234 : DH1700 / 76 / 47 / 0.00 /
BFL : Bakersfield Airport 496 : DH1600 / 72 / 55 / 0.00 /
VIS : Visalia Airport 292 : DH1700 / 72 / 50 / 0.00 /
ATEC1 : Avenal 787 : DH1645 / 72 / 48 / 0.00 /
PTV : Porterville Airport 442 : DH1700 / 72 / 48 / 0.00 /
TFTC1 : Taft 759 : DH1649 / 69 / 55 / 0.00 /
LOSC1 : Los Banos 120 : DH1600 / 75 / 49 / 0.00 /
Rainfall: 24hr W.Y. % Last Y. % Ave. Year ave.
STOCKTON 0.00 7.99 62 15.79 122 12.92 14.06
MODESTO 0.00 6.86 58 12.06 102 11.84 13.11
MERCED 0.00 9.34 83 11.87 106 11.23 12.50
MADERA 0.00 5.81 54 9.84 91 10.79 12.02
FRESNO 0.00 7.51 72 9.47 91 10.43 11.50
HANFORD 0.00 6.51 72 7.67 84 9.09 10.10
BAKERSFIELD 0.00 7.02 118 5.94 99 5.97 6.47
BISHOP 0.00 2.25 53 7.55 177 4.26 5.18
SALINAS 0.00 9.00 75 12.31 103 12.00 12.83
PASO ROBLES 0.00 11.34 94 14.10 117 12.03 12.78
SANTA MARIA 0.00 10.39 79 14.53 110 13.20 13.95
Next report: April 23/morning